The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur (Paca) regions are being hit by rising sand dust from the Sahara. The phenomenon is particularly visible this Saturday in Lyon and part of the Alps, where the sky took on impressive orange hues during the morning.
In Lyon, where significant gusts blew during the day on Friday, hot winds from the south also brought up the sand from the Sahara and filled the sky with orange-yellow particles, according to the daily Progress. The Grenoble metropolitan area is also affected. Further south, the cities of Nice and Antibes had already been affected on Friday.
Intense phenomenon
For the sand from the Sahara to reach France, two things are needed, Météo-France points out on its website: surface winds strong enough to lift the sand as well as a powerful southerly flow (wind current going from south to north ) at altitude set up between the Maghreb and Europe, thus allowing the transport of granules over long distances. “This typically happens when cold upper air plunges towards the south of Western Europe and reaches the outskirts of the Maghreb. »
“This phenomenon is in fact quite common and can occur several times a year,” explains Denis Roy, head of Météo-France for the Northern Alps, at the Dauphiné Libéré. The last one was about a fortnight ago. » The episode which has crossed these regions since Friday is however notable for its intensity.
Greece also affected
Meteorologist Anthony Grillon confirms on Rain/showers may therefore mix with the expected sandy dust. »
The phenomenon does not only affect France since the Greek capital Athens has also been affected since the middle of the week. A phenomenon aggravated by abnormally high temperatures in Greece for this time of year.
On March 27, some 25.3°C was recorded in the center of Athens, a record since March 2009, and in Crete temperatures even reached 32°C, Greek meteorological services noted. The Union of Pulmonologists of Greece has recommended that the most vulnerable population groups, particularly people suffering from asthma, avoid “unnecessary movements and outdoor sports during hours when dust concentrations are highest.” high”.